From motion controlled lamps to Wi-Fi lightbulbs, a look at the brightest ideas in lighting gadgets

WHEN MY WIFE and I first starting dating, I'm fairly sure she considered dumping me when she saw the lighting system in my apartment. Using a line of products called X10, I had arranged to control my lamps with a small remote. If I pressed the button I'd designated "work," my desk lamp would turn on while my bedside light would shut off. The "relax" button dimmed all the lamps to a soft glow. At night, I could push another button to shut everything off.